Memphis men's basketball travels to Mississippi State for exhibition

The Memphis men's basketball team will play its first exhibition game of the 2026-27 season against Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum. Led by coach Penny Hardaway, the Tigers are entering the season with a rebuilt roster featuring several newcomers, including nine Division I transfers.

Memphis was projected to finish second in the American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, trailing only Wichita State. Key players expected to impact the team include Jayden Reid, a preseason first-team all-conference selection, and Tylik Weeks. The exhibition serves as a test for a roster still establishing its identity through the integration of players from various collegiate programs.

Following the matchup in Mississippi, Memphis is scheduled to face Arkansas on October 28. Both Memphis and Mississippi State are also participants in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, where they may face one another during the tournament.